University Receives Funding to Support Opioid and Stimulant Education

For Ric Baker, Ed.D., the University’s senior associate dean of students, the safety and well-being of Chargers is paramount. He’s committed to promoting safety through education, and a new grant will enable him and his fellow University leaders to do just that.‬‬‬

The University recently received an award of more than $30,000 from the Connecticut Healthy Campus Initiative’s Campus Opioid and Stimulant Education and Awareness Program. It will provide important training and equipment for opioid and stimulant education and awareness initiatives.

“Historically, we have not had a lot of opioid use on our campus, but all it takes is one time,” explains Dr. Baker. “We know that opioid use is still a major concern nationwide. The numbers are still growing, and it hasn't even hit its peak yet. So, this is really our opportunity to be proactive and to keep this issue in the consciousness of the University community.”

The grant, which comes to the University via the Wheeler Clinic, a nonprofit community-based health center, is the first funding the University has received for stimulant education.

Funded by the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) with the support of the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the award will primarily go toward training and education about opioids. It will support potentially life-saving opioid education initiatives that will teach Chargers how to spot an overdose. Dr. Baker says the materials provided to students will also educate them on the University’s medical amnesty policy.

“We want Chargers to seek help rather than worry about getting in trouble,” he explains.

‘Helps create safer environments’

The funding will provide Narcan, which reverses the effects of an opioid overdose, as well as training and supplies. University Police, specifically, will receive 40 Narcan emergency kits as well as Narcan and CPR training. Because the funding period extends to December 2024 and the University Police Department is current on Narcan training, they will be trained again next year.

Joe Soto, M.S., a lecturer and director of the University’s paramedicine program, has collaborated with Dr. Baker in the past to offer this training to staff on campus, as well as to offer mock overdose simulations that involve staff and students. Chargers learn about the medical symptoms of an overdose as well as how to administer Narcan. Such interactive programs are an important part of this grant.

"Any initiative that helps our community better understand the risks of opioid use as well as alternatives and strategies to mitigate use can only serve to increase health and well-being on our campus."Paige Bartels, LCSW, director of the University’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)

“The Campus Opioid and Stimulant Education and Awareness Program is critical as it addresses a life-threatening issue that affects individuals of all ages, including students,” said Prof. Soto. “By providing Narcan in educational settings, it helps create safer environments, promotes awareness and education, and illustrates the importance of responding swiftly to opioid overdoses.

“I have been actively involved in driving this initiative, extending its impact beyond the campus and into the city of West Haven,” he continued. “Today, every school within our city is equipped with Narcan, and the staff members are trained to administer it effectively. Additionally, each police officer in West Haven now carries two doses of Narcan in their vehicle.”

‘Benefit our community’

In addition to the training, education is an important component of the funding. The University endeavors to host at least half a dozen events focused on the risks associated with opioid and stimulant use and misuse, and to teach Chargers preventative measures and healthy coping strategies.

Ensuring mental health is key to helping to prevent opioid and stimulant use, says Paige Bartels, LCSW, director of the University’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). The funding will support students, who will do peer outreach. Bartels believes their work will make an important impact on ensuring the health and safety of the University community.

“The connection between our mental health and any kind of substance use is well-known,” she said. “So, decreasing substance use while increasing coping strategies, positive social interaction, engagement, and a culture that supports the latter can only serve to benefit our community as a whole.

“CAPS is looking forward to working with our Community Wellness Advocates to promote the holistic care of our students, including a better understanding of the impact of opioid use and tactics to decrease it,” Bartels continued. “Any initiative that helps our community better understand the risks of opioid use as well as alternatives and strategies to mitigate use can only serve to increase health and well-being on our campus.”

‘Provide real data’

In addition to supporting students’ education when it comes to the dangers of substance use, the funding will also educate University leaders on behaviors and patterns on campus. Specifically, it will enable the University to conduct two surveys: the CORE Survey, which focuses on alcohol and drug use, including opioids and stimulants; and the Healthy Minds Survey, which assesses mental health. Because individuals often use substances as a coping mechanism for mental health challenges, both surveys will provide critical information.

"Receiving this funding is really enabling us to be proactive with our students, as well as with the faculty and staff on campus."Ric Baker, Ed.D.

The CORE Survey was last conducted in 2020, and because so much has changed in the years since the pandemic, new information is needed to better inform outreach and education initiatives. The survey will also provide data on the use of other substances, such as alcohol and cannabis. The University plans to conduct the survey in the spring of 2024.

“The award allows us to explore the data we currently have on our student body, as well as in the city of New Haven and the trends we’re seeing,” said Eryn Griep, student conduct administrator and Dr. Baker’s co-principal investigator on the award. “There was a gap in data collection because during COVID students weren’t on campus. The surveys will provide real data to show those trends that’ll inform our educational interventions. This award offers a wide scope, and it allows us to do a lot, which is my favorite thing about it.”

‘Enabling us to be proactive’

While the 2020 CORE survey reflected a decrease in opioid use on campus, the problem has increased nationwide. The University is committed to protecting Chargers by offering the necessary resources and education.

“The safety of our students is of the utmost importance,” said Griep. “We would be doing them a disservice if we weren't preparing them as much as we can. I'm excited to be able to do that. Of course, I'm hoping they don't have to use the skills that we teach them. However, we'd rather they are prepared.”

The data from the surveys will help determine where education and support are most needed and identify new opportunities for programming. Dr. Baker hopes the information will help them create initiatives that make a lasting impact on Chargers’ health, safety, and well-being.

“Sometimes in our work, we have to be reactive to situations that occur,” he said. “Receiving this funding is really enabling us to be proactive with our students, as well as with the faculty and staff on campus. It's really going to allow us to make sure that this awareness doesn't fade.”